The Rodeo Trail

by Shauna Winter
I love to watch the kids compete
I love to see them grow
I love to see them as they ride
And learn to rodeo
When they start, it’s fun to see
The smile upon their face
First they walk and then they trot
Then run the barrel race
First they pull a ribbon
From the tail of a goat
Then they learn to tie one
Just two wraps and then you gloat
Some cowboys started riding
On a calf or on a sheep
But soon they’ll have to ride a bull
If they want to compete
Chute doggin is good practice
To wrestle with a steer
Then they jump right off their horse
I swear they have no fear
I love to watch them rope
On their own or as a team
The loop must fly just right
If they want live the dream
Pole bending can be fun
Sometimes they cannot wait
But you must not hit a pole
Just leave them standing straight
The parents—you can’t miss them
Sitting in the crowd
For when their kids are out there
They holler really loud
They coach their little cowboy
As he learns to rope and ride
They can’t wait to help him
And be there by his side
Their little cowgirls are there too
For they just can’t be beat
The girls they just aren’t pretty
They’re sure here to compete
The whole family gets involved
It doesn’t matter big or small
All contestants and their fans
They come and give it all
This sport is special it is true
Contestants never fail
The lessons learned are many
When you ride the rodeo trail